An ultra-long-distance golf ball that allows the average amateur golfer to attain the drive of Tiger Woods is being developed by scientists.

The world's 60m golfers spend a combined £1bn on balls each year, and the new design could change the character of the game completely as players become more accurate and their drives more powerful.

Although it is already known that the secret in improving the aerodynamics of golf balls lies in its dimples, these were designed using trial and error rather than any specific scientific formula.

"Up to now, dimple design has been more of an art than a science," said Elias Balaras, professor of engineering at the University of Maryland, who created mathematical equations and software to work out the science behind the dimples and the flight of a golf ball.

The team of researchers used a set of supercomputers, each one thousands of times more powerful than the standard PC, to study the exact flow of air around the ball in flight and its dimples for 300 hours.

The average golf ball hit by the average golfer can reach 260 kilometres per hour (160 mph), spins backwards up to 3,000 times a minute and travels up to 228 metres (250 yds). Tiger Woods commonly drives around 274 metres (300 yards).

The backspin is what keeps the ball in flight, but too much spin means excessive turbulence, which the dimples help to reduce.

Dimples were first introduced in the 19th century when players noticed that balls with rough surfaces flew better than balls with smooth ones.

The scientists' findings are due to be outlined at a meeting of the American Physical Society's fluid dynamics division.

John Bushell, director of Surrey-based Sports Marketing Surveys, a consultancy specialising in market data for the sports industry, said the results of the study could revolutionise the game for Britain's 4m golfers.

"People will always seek out the latest kit, so a golf ball that offered greater distances and accuracy could be in huge demand," he said.